Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Ramirez, Jr.
Hi Juan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Juan Ramirez, Jr., a Nuyorican-Chapín born-and-raised in The Boogie Down Bronx award-winning and internationally produced playwright and screenwriter, monologist, director, actor, solo performer, filmmaker, producer, poet, rapper, virtual marathoner, and I can make a delicious coquito and steak.
All of those artistic titles above did not happen overnight, and most not was even in the plans I had for myself, and yet, when you ask about me, it’s the only way I’m described – multi-talented. As I said, I did not set out to build a skillset of many artistic trades but as these things happen, it came out of necessity. In fact, I hear this happens often with most artists. I graduated right into the 2008 recession, where soon after I had a moment in my life where I held six or seven jobs. I’d joke and tell people I had a full-time, part-time, quarter-time, on-call and gigs. It was the truth. I remembered being judged for working this way and being thought to be lost because I wasn’t following one set path. Today, especially if you live in a major city, having more than one job or skillset is something everyone is doing to survive. In my journey, I found opportunities at every corner because I was able to show up in many ways. The key to having more of these opportunities in your life at a constant, is to take the genuine time to master every skillset.
This mindset took me on the path to continue to find the hidden gems in my life, because one can never be to visible, or too in the spotlight, to be surprised by the inspirations around us.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Finding balance can be a struggle. There’s a powerful tool all artists share when they are in creation mode and that’s focus. And when focus doesn’t show up, it’s usually due to life events, lack of inspiration, burnout and the list can go on. It’s an artist’s mission to get the work done how they can. It’s the artist responsibility to find inspiration. It’s gets more difficult as you get older and especially in a contradicting, temporary and unknown world. For me, that’s where life lives. You have to show up for it, if you want to be inspired by it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m a writer. All of my other talents are branches from that tree.
My website www.JuanManShow.com is an actor’s Monologue Catalogue. A source of performative monologues for actors to use to for auditions, educational and showcase purposes and post on social media, websites and all other public outlets.
Based in New York City, the typical experience of an actor looking for a monologue goes as such: they arrive at a store where plays and monologue anthologies are sold, they spend hours – sometimes days – searching through as much as they can to find a monologue that’s right from them, purchase the play or monologue anthology, and use the work a few times. Actors spend a lot of time and money doing this. With respect to the time, this was considered part of the actor’s life and a great way for an actor to constantly read new works, discover new playwrights and expand their own skillset. Today, actors continue to use this practice, including asking for monologue recommendations to their playwright friends and theater community.
Let’s deepen this conversation. Not all monologue sources are created equal. Not every “type” of actor can simply step into a bookstore and find something right for them. It’s no secret that on stage, actors part of the global majority struggle to find work for them. An answer to this are playwrights who specifically write monologues for actors of the global majority. This is a beautiful thing. I seek to be part of that answer.
In my website – as it develops and grows – I have 100+ monologues for actors to search, read an excerpt, purchase and use how they wish. As a prolific writer always creating new work, I wanted somewhere to put that work, and at the same time, I want theater artists to have reasonable access to it, where they do not break the bank, waste time and are able to find new creative roles.
I am not here to solve all of the answers in the industry but I am here to provide what I can. I’ve had actors use my monologues to get into high school theater programs, specialized high schools, undergrad theater programs, graduate school theater programs, studied in classes all across the country, performed in showcases, auditions and festivals, where actors grew their networks, booked roles and signed with agencies, and gained social media followers and views, and finally, find their creative voice. I’m also available for custom monologues.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be consistency. Be that a business, skillset or hobby, you find if it works only if you dedicate the time. It’s difficult to do so otherwise. I find artists afraid of wasting time, and yet, they spend a lot of time creating art that may or may not work. You will start out building something from an idea, and when it works, you move forward and when it doesn’t, you adjust and make changes. This is not a sign of failure in what you want but a sign of progress in what will be. Some things take longer than others, and that’s the risk. Decide first the total amount of time you wish to accomplish a goal, the time you feel you need to see evidence of the progress of that goal, and what is the proof of that goal failing or succeeding. All business owners will tell you what they first imagined for their business was different than the outcome. In that same breath, they’ll tell you their lessons and what came out for the better. Experience comes after the fact, and all you can control is the knowledge and action you possess now. Be consistent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JuanManShow.com
- Instagram: @AJuanManShow
Image Credits
All images are property of Juan Ramirez, Jr.